Waking up at 3-4 am: “The Hour of the Soul” or neuroscience?

Scientific Facts – Sleep Science + The Human Body: Let’s put aside the myths of the “spirit clock” and delve into biology: 1. Why does the body wake up at 3-4 AM? The hormone cortisol. We have a “biological clock” called the circadian rhythm. This clock releases hormones according to the time of day. 3-4 AM is the lowest point in body temperature and the lowest point in the sleep hormone “melatonin.” At that precise time, the body begins to release cortisol, the “stress hormone.” Cortisol rises gradually from 3 AM to prepare you for the day. If you have anxiety or low blood sugar, this “rise” in cortisol will wake you up forcefully. In science, this is called the “cortisol awakening response.” 2. The most common scientific reasons for waking up at 3-4 AM: Cause: Stress and anxiety. The brain continues to “work” at night. When cortisol levels rise, negative thoughts wake you up. Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar): If you eat dinner early and don’t consume protein, blood sugar drops around 3-4 AM, triggering an adrenaline alarm in the liver to wake you up. Sleep apnea: When you stop breathing during sleep, oxygen levels drop in the brain, waking you up to resume breathing. Caffeine/Alcohol: Caffeine has a half-life in the body of 6 hours. If you drink coffee at 8 PM, its effects will still be felt at 3 AM. Alcohol makes you fall asleep quickly but